Pep Guardiola probably isn't sleeping much right now. Fresh off a bruising 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford on Saturday, the manchester city fc next match takes them far away from the bright lights of the Premier League and deep into the Arctic Circle. We're talking about Bodø/Glimt. If you’ve never seen a match at the Aspmyra Stadion, it’s basically football’s equivalent of a cold shower—shaking you awake whether you’re ready or not.
The date is Tuesday, January 20, 2026. This isn't just another Champions League group stage formality. Following the loss to United, the vibes around the Etihad are, well, complicated. City are currently sitting six points behind Arsenal in the league. Now, they have to pivot back to Europe, facing a Norwegian side that has a reputation for being giant-killers on their own artificial turf.
What’s the Deal With Bodø/Glimt?
Let’s be real: most casual fans see this fixture and assume it's a walkover. It isn't. Bodø/Glimt aren't just some "happy to be here" team. They play a high-octane 4-3-3 that makes bigger clubs look sluggish. Remember when they put six past Roma a few years back? That wasn't a fluke.
For City, the challenge is twofold. First, the surface. Aspmyra uses an artificial pitch that plays much faster—and harder—than the pristine grass at the Etihad. Second, the weather. We are in the dead of winter in Northern Norway. Even for a squad used to Manchester drizzle, the biting wind and freezing temperatures in Bodø are a different beast entirely.
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The Injury Crisis is Getting Weird
The squad list for this trip looks a bit thin. Pep’s "healthy" rotation is basically non-existent at the moment. We know for a fact that John Stones, Ruben Dias, and Josko Gvardiol are out. That leaves the defense looking incredibly young.
- Abdukodir Khusanov and Max Alleyne started the derby, and they'll likely have to go again.
- Rodri is back, which is a massive relief, but he looked a little leggy at Old Trafford after his layoff.
- Phil Foden gave everyone a heart attack when he landed on his hand on Saturday, but Pep’s already come out and said it’s not broken. He should travel.
One major miss? Omar Marmoush. He’s still away with Egypt at AFCON. His pace has been a huge outlet for City this season, and without him, the burden on Erling Haaland to produce something out of nothing is even heavier. Speaking of Haaland, this is a homecoming of sorts. He’s the main attraction everywhere he goes, but in Norway, the hype is at a fever pitch.
Tactical Tweaks: What Pep is Thinking
Pep mentioned recently that he’s frustrated with how Haaland is being refereed—what he calls the "Haaland tax." Basically, if Erling uses his strength, it’s a foul; if a defender hangs off him, the whistle stays silent. On an artificial pitch where players lose their footing more easily, this physical battle becomes even more unpredictable.
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Expect to see Jeremy Doku or Antoine Semenyo start on the wings to provide some width. City struggled to break through United’s mid-block because they were too congested in the middle. Against Bodø/Glimt, they need to stretch the pitch. If they play narrow, they’ll get caught on the counter by a team that transitions faster than almost anyone in the competition.
Champions League Stakes
City are in a decent spot in the table, but they can't afford a slip-up. With Galatasaray coming to the Etihad on January 28, taking three points in Norway would essentially secure their path and allow Pep to rotate some of the exhausted seniors.
Honestly, the mental recovery is more important than the physical one right now. Losing a derby hurts. Losing a derby right before a long flight to the Arctic? That’s a test of character.
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Keys to the Game
- Survive the first 20 minutes. Bodø usually comes out like they've been shot from a cannon. City need to keep the ball, quiet the crowd, and avoid any early defensive "howlers" from the youngsters.
- Protect Rodri. He is the glue. If he gets targeted on that hard pitch, City’s season could unravel.
- Haaland’s Movement. He needs to pull those Norwegian center-backs out of position to create space for Foden or Bernardo Silva coming late into the box.
How to Follow the Action
The match kicks off on Tuesday evening. If you're in the UK, it’s the usual TNT Sports / Discovery+ routine. For the US fans, you’re looking at Paramount+ or CBS Sports.
Pro Tip: Don't just check the score at halftime. This is the kind of game where the tactical battle in the first 15 minutes tells you exactly how the night is going to go. If City look heavy-legged on that turf early on, it’s going to be a long, cold night.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the final training reports on Monday afternoon. Pep usually drops a hint about his "surprises" then, and with the current defensive shortage, we might see a very creative solution at left-back.